Ighalo lands in England, says I’m here to shock my critics

By EPHRAIM NWOSU

Latest Manchester United signing Odion Ighalo is relishing the chance to make history with new club at the end of his six – month loan deal with the Red Devils.

Ighalo completed a loan move from Chinese Super League giants Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day until end of the season becoming the first Nigerian to team up with the 13 time EPL champions.

The signing of the former Nigeria international has been widely criticized by top Manchester United legends with Gary Neville and Jaap Stam leading the pack, but the striker is confident of silencing his critics as temporary replacement for injured Marcus Rashford.

“I am very proud and honored to be here at one of the best clubs in the world, and I hope I can justify the expectations. I’ll have to work hard to prove myself. I’m focused and looking forward to my first game,’’ the former Udinese and Granada ace who netted 33  goals in 82 appearances for Watford before heading for China in 2017 exclusively told Daylight shortly after his arrival in England.

He continued: “I have proved it time and time again. When I came to Italy in 2008 I was told, “You can’t play in Serie A. I went to Spain the same thing people said. Then I came to England and it was, Oh you can’t play in Premiership, you can’t do this, you can’t do that’’- at the end of the day I proved everybody wrong. “It’s that fire in your belly. Although you’d wish not to have it, the criticism is probably what has fired me up to where I am today.”

Towards the end of his career, the 30-year-old now has a chance to realize his childhood dream of playing at “The Theater of Dreams.”

” Yes, obviously I’m  excited because I’m a big fan of Manchester United since I was a child and playing at Old Trafford has always been a dream. For me, it’s now a dream come true, they are the world’s biggest club and I will give the fans 100 per cent. That is what matters most to me.”

Ighalo  is expected to make his United debut against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on February 17.